Peace and  Music

Give Peace a chance. We all know the lyrics of John Lennon. The Vietnam War produced a cry from the musical world that still resonates today. Blowin’ in the Wind by Bob Dylan begs the question,

“How many ears must one man have,
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?”

So the question to be answered is, does music change the condition of our planet, or is it merely a reflection of a transformation already in action?

 Like all great works of thought, the truth of the song is self-evident as is our own constitution which claims our right to freedom is self-evident.  Music has the ability to cross borders and, other than math, seems to be the only other universal language. People across the globe recognize the emotion contained in a series or combination of notes.  At a time when so many barriers exist between nations, music has the ability to cross borders and re-open hopeless lines of communication.

Israel Getzov, Director of Orchestras at the University of Central Arkansas and Music Director and Conductor of the Conway Symphony, led a group of four UCA students to China this summer to perform with the Fujian Symphony Orchestra in Fuzhou, China. In a time of intense competition between nations for resources, it is music that is leading the way to working together to create a positive outcome.

In 1985, John Denver was the first American entertainer to visit Russia in the midst of the cold war. His humanitarian work and benefit concerts for the victims of the Chernobyl disaster opened the door to civil relations between two of the world’s great powers. John’s song, ”What Are We Making Weapons For?” still has as much relevance today as it did in 1985.

You can support the power of music programs by hosting foreign music students and giving donations to music exchange programs.  Contact your local Universities for more information on their programs.

For more peaceful solutions visit www.peacefulblueplanet.org

To hear PSA on this topic, click here:  PSA on Music